Documents Veiersted, Kaj Bo 6 results

"This prospective study aimed at examining if work with prolonged arm elevation predicts shoulder pain among 41 young adults in their first years of working life. Fifteen hairdressers, 15 electricians, 5 students and 6 with various work were followed over a 2.5-year period (2006/7-2009). Arm elevation was measured with inclinometers during a full working day at baseline. Shoulder pain was reported at baseline and twice in the follow-up period. Data were analyzed by generalized estimating equations (GEE-analysis), stratified by gender and adjusted for time, mechanical workload, work demand, physical activity, tobacco use and prior shoulder pain. Work with prolonged arm elevation with angles >60° and >90° were associated with shoulder pain among women. Even though the shoulder pain levels are low the study suggests work with arms elevated as an early work-related risk factor among women, and indicates the importance of early prevention strategies."

"Objectives The study examined the course of neck and shoulder pain among a cohort of technical school students entering working life. We also aimed to identify work-related and individual risk factors for neck and shoulder pain during this transition period. Methods The study was designed as a prospective cohort study following 420 technical school students (167 student hairdressers, 118 student electricians, and 135 media/design students) from school, through their apprenticeship and into working life. Every 4th month over a 6.5 year period (2002–2009), the participant`s neck and shoulder pain for the preceding four weeks was assessed. Mechanical and psychosocial workplace factors as well as individual factors were evaluated at baseline and/or during the follow-up period. Data were analyzed by generalized estimating equations (GEE).Results We found a significant increase in neck and shoulder pain over time in the transition from technical school to working life. High mechanical workload was associated with neck and shoulder pain among women, while a high level of shoulder muscle endurance capacity was associated with lower rates of neck and shoulder pain among men. Perceived muscle tension and ethnicity were the most consistent predictors for neck and shoulder pain, found among both women and men.Conclusion Increased neck and shoulder pain was found in the transition from technical school to working life, and both work-related and individual factors were associated with pain development."

"The aim of this prospective study was to detect a possible development of trapezius myalgia likely to be work-related in initially healthy female packers. Symptoms were recorded on a five-step intensity scale in a daily diary and in an interview at ten-week intervals. All of the subjects were interviewed concerning assumed risk factors during work and leisure time, and a clinical examination was performed. Within their first year of employment, 17 of 30 subjects developed work-related trapezius myalgia of sufficient intensity to be classified as patients. The median time before a clinically confirmed patient status was 23 (range 6-51) weeks. The symptoms showed a fluctuating pattern, decreasing on the weekends and during some holidays. In conclusion, likely work-related trapezius myalgia of a nonchronic character showed a high one-year cumulative incidence at a plant with repetitive light work."

"ObjectivesThis systematic review aimed to identify published observational methods assessing biomechanical exposures in occupational settings and evaluate them with reference to the needs of different users.MethodsWe searched scientific databases and the internet for material from 1965 to September 2008. Methods were included if they were primarily based on the systematic observation of work, the observation target was the human body, and the method was clearly described in the literature. A systematic evaluation procedure was developed to assess concurrent and predictive validity, repeatability, and aspects related to utility. At least two evaluators independently carried out this evaluation.Results We identified 30 eligible observational methods. Of these, 19 had been compared with some other method(s), varying from expert evaluation to data obtained from video recordings or through the use of technical instruments. Generally, the observations showed moderate to good agreement with the corresponding assessments made from video recordings; agreement was the best for large-scale body postures and work actions. Postures of wrist and hand as well as trunk rotation seemed to be more difficult to observe correctly. Intra- and inter-observer repeatability were reported for 7 and 17 methods, respectively, and were judged mostly to be good or moderate.Conclusions With training, observers can reach consistent results on clearly visible body postures and work activities. Many observational tools exist, but none evaluated in this study appeared to be generally superior. When selecting a method, users should define their needs and assess how results will influence decision-making."

"The present cross-sectional study was performed to analyze potential risk factors for upper extremity disorders in two groups of forest machine operators driving harvesting vehicles and performing equal tasks in France (n=18) and Norway (n=19). This comparative design implied similar work tasks, but potentially different external work demands. Previous studies have suggested higher levels of neck and shoulder complaints among Norwegian operators compared to those of the French. This may be related to different external work demands and/or individual motor performance.Surface electromyography (EMG) of the right upper trapezius (RUT) and extensor digitorum (RED) muscles were measured continuously during 1 working day (7.5–8 h per operator) and video of body postures was recorded inside the cabin (1 h per operator). A questionnaire on external work demand factors and psychosocial stressors was used together with the collection of symptom data. A physical examination was performed on all workers. Borg's CR-10 scale of intensity of discomfort/pain was rated four times throughout the test day.The French operators reported less complaint (p<0.01) in the right neck compared to their Norwegian colleagues. Furthermore, the French had on average two to three times longer lunch breaks during 5 work days, less continuous hand intensive use of the control lever with more frequent short breaks during the test day compared to the Norwegian operators. However, the average static load level on the RUT muscle for the whole working day was significantly higher among the French (0.7% EMGmax) in comparison with the Norwegian operators (0.3% EMGmax). No difference was found in number of periods with sustained low-level muscle activity neither in the RUT nor the RED muscle.In conclusion, our results support that the higher prevalence of discomfort/pain among the Norwegian forest machine operators may be related to organizational factors."

"This review aimed to identify risk factors for occupational accidents and illnesses among young workers in the Nordic countries and to attain knowledge on specific vulnerable groups within the young working force that may need special attention. We conducted a systematic review from 1994 to 2014 using five online databases. Of the 12,528 retrieved articles, 54 met the review criteria and were quality assessed, in which data were extracted focusing on identifying occupational safety, health risk factors, and vulnerable groups among the young workers. The review shows that mechanical factors such as heavy lifting, psychosocial factors such as low control over work pace, and organizational factors such as safety climate are all associated with increased injury risk for young Nordic workers. Results show that exposures to chemical substances were associated with skin reactions, e.g., hand eczema. Heavy lifting and awkward postures were risk factors for low back pain, and high job demands were risk factors for mental health outcomes. The review identified young unskilled workers including school drop-out workers as particularly vulnerable groups when it comes to occupational accidents. In addition, apprentices and young skilled workers were found to be vulnerable to work-related illnesses. It is essential to avoid stereotyping young Nordic workers into one group using only age as a factor, as young workers are a heterogeneous group and their vulnerabilities to occupational safety and health risks are contextual. Politicians, researchers, and practitioners should account for this complexity in the education, training and organization of work, and workplace health and safety culture."